Local 13 Members and Mechanical Contractors Host Event For Educators and Community Leaders From Ten Counties

ROCHESTER, NY—Local Union 13, a member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA), and the Local Chapter of the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA), hosted an open house for the Local 13’s new headquarters at 1850 Mt. Read Blvd., Thursday, June 14, 2007.

According to Local 13’s Business Manager, John Perticone, Local 13 members wanted to relocate to a larger and more modern facility to accommodate the training needs and expectations of all its members. In addition to showcasing the new facility, the purpose of the event was to inform educators and local government representatives about the unique opportunities available for young people to become skilled tradesmen. The event also highlighted the unique working relationship between Local 13 and contractors who are members of the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) of Rochester, Inc.

“We invited just about everyone who we thought had a vested interest in education and training for the plumbing and pipefitting trade and the role of Local 13 in the community,” said Perticone. “That included educators, government officials at all levels, and facilities managers in Local 13’s jurisdiction.” Local 13’s jurisdiction includes Monroe, Livingston, Ontario and Yates counties, as well as most of Orleans, Geneseo, Wayne, Seneca, Allegany and Steuben counties. “We also asked several customers to join us,” added Perticone. “Local 13 and the MCA want them to know how important it is to have a trained workforce on their projects.”

MCA - Rochester president Michael Schum explained that the Local 13 training program is the result of a joint partnership between labor and management. “Local 13’s apprenticeship program is administered by local union-management committees made up
of members of the UA and local MCA employer members. “We have a mutual investment in education, training and safety,” noted Schum. “More important, we have a mutual commitment to a spirit of cooperation from hundreds of people, including union craftsmen and contractor members.”

Rochester’s Mayor Robert Duffy and Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks also attended the event. The Mayor conveyed the City’s appreciation for the fact that the Local 13 remained in the City. Their office, meeting hall and school was located at 1645 St. Paul Street for 40 years. The Mayor was especially pleased about the emergence of working relationships in the community like the one between Local 13 and the MCA. “We’re seeing more and more partnerships like these,” Duffy said, “and it’s this spirit of cooperation, with everyone working together, that will ensure a healthier and more prosperous community.”

County Executive Maggie Brooks recognized the role of labor in the community. “We’ll do everything we can to help labor,” Brooks noted. “We recognize the future opportunities in skilled trades and hope our youth and other workers will take advantage of the unique training and education offered here through the joint efforts of union and management.”

The event was made possible by the Industrial Advancement Program (IAP), whose mission is to advance the plumbing and pipefitting trade. According to IAP Trustee, Tom Lowery, the IAP works to educate the community and promote the value of the mechanical industry and the skills the union tradesmen provide. “Every home, office and facility, needs and utilizes plumbing and piping to keep things healthy, safe and comfortable,” Lowery said. “Because piping is generally hidden from view, we have to make an effort to make the skilled tradesman’s contribution to our infrastructure more visible and expose the value of their workmanship.”

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